26 February 2026
Securing digital trust as AI blurs the line between authentic and synthetic identities
The Biometrics Institute recently hosted its latest On the Pulse (OTP) Conversation, focusing on “Keeping It Real,” a key theme from its seventh State of Biometrics Report. The session addressed the critical challenge of maintaining trust online as artificial intelligence (AI) both improves biometric accuracy and complicates the ability to distinguish between real individuals and deepfakes.
The discussion was framed by data from the Institute’s latest Annual Industry Survey, which revealed that while 85% of experts identify deepfakes as a significant threat, 91% are confident in biometrics as a means to secure digital identities.
The AI paradox: Improving accuracy, increasing risk
The “Keeping It Real” theme explores a modern paradox. While AI has drastically improved biometric accuracy, it has simultaneously introduced sophisticated new attack vectors. As AI agents and bots increase the volume of online transactions, the Institute’s latest report stresses the critical need for investment in technologies that can distinguish a living human from a digital spoof.
Moderated by the Institute’s Advisory Council Member, Roger Baldwin, the session brought together industry experts from Attain Insight, Aware, Innovatrics, and Jumio to discuss the digital identity challenge, technology solutions and the responsible use of biometrics.
Key discussions included:
- Proving personhood: The shift toward proving a ‘living human’ exists behind a digital identity in an increasingly synthetic landscape
- Anonymisation and privacy: Strategies for protecting biometric privacy through advanced anonymisation techniques
- Multimodal biometrics: Moving beyond standard facial recognition by incorporating palm recognition to strengthen remote identity verification
- Contextual intelligence: Strengthening identity assurance through continuous and connected identity intelligence
“With an increase in deepfakes, proving personhood has become just as important as verifying identity,” says Roger Baldwin. “Biometrics, implemented responsibly, help stakeholders anchor trust in real, living humans. While deepfakes make it difficult to determine what is real, the industry is rapidly developing the good practices needed to link a person to their identity securely and ethically.”
A quarter-century of building trust through good practice
As the Biometrics Institute celebrates its 25th anniversary and Silver Jubilee in 2026, it continues to bring experts together to promote the ethical and effective use of biometrics. The event concluded by emphasising the need for user-centric privacy-preserving frameworks, knowledge sharing and good practice guidance to mitigate technology-related risks.
To learn more about these developments and the future of identity, the full State of Biometrics Report is publicly available on the Biometrics Institute website, and a full calendar of events is available on the events page.
ENDS.
About the Biometrics Institute:
The Biometrics Institute is the independent and impartial international membership organisation for biometric users and other interested parties. It was established in 2001 to promote the responsible, ethical and effective use of biometrics. It has offices in London and Sydney.
The Institute represents a global and diverse multi-stakeholder community of over 200 membership organisations from 43 countries. While a large proportion of the members are from government, other members include banks, airlines, biometric experts, privacy experts, suppliers, academics and 18 Observers representing United Nations agencies, IGOs and European Union institution.
The Biometrics Institute connects the global biometrics community. It shares knowledge with its members and key stakeholders and most importantly, develops good practices and thought leadership for the responsible, ethical and effective use of biometrics.
For more information, please email Marco Lombardi.
